Profoto 500 overview

1Description

Profoto continues to refine and surprise us with an enhanced version of the B1 battery-powered monolight, the B1X. The B1X 500 AirTTL 2-Light Location Kit includes two B1X flash heads with 80% brighter LED modeling lights and batteries with 50% greater capacity (325 full power flashes) and High-Speed Sync that's able to use the full 9-stop power range. Also included are an AC battery charger, a car charger, and a Backpack M to store and transport it all. All of the familiar professional and convenience features we've come to expect from Profoto are onboard. The B1X has the same dense, durable polymer housing, integrated 77-degree reflector, built-in receiver compatible with Air Remote TTL remotes, and intuitive highly visible controls and display.

AirTTL remotes are made for Nikon, Canon, Sony, and Olympus cameras. Busy photographers can literally set up their lights, slip the optional Air Remote TTL-C, TTL-N, TTL-S, or TTL-O remote onto their camera's hot shoe and point-and-shoot without taking a reading and testing. Composition, posing, etc. is of course up to the photographer, but time after time, the B1X will give you a first shot exposure that's a keeper.

The (separately purchased) remote is the key to this convenience and control. Operating on 2.4 GHz band width, the remote, really a controller, has 8 frequency channels and with 3 groups per channel and a range of up to 330' for TTL triggering and 1000' for normal non-TTL triggering. Each channel has power ratio capability of +/- 2 stops. If you prefer to use manual you have +/- 9 stops power variation. You've also got modeling light, unit shut-down and first or rear curtain control. The AirTTL remotes have mini-USB connectors for firmware updates directly from Profoto's website. The B1X's core performance features are equally impressive. The flash recycles in 0.1 to 1.9 seconds but can deliver up to 20 flashes per second in Quick Burst Mode which engages at lower power settings. Flash duration in Normal Mode is a very fast 1/1000 sec, but there's also a Freeze Mode that delivers flash durations as short as 1/19,000 sec for capturing liquid sprays or splashes and other creative effects.

The B1X is also capable of High Speed Sync. HSS is the technical term for syncing flash with shutter speeds shorter than the so-called x-sync, typically 1/250 of a second. It's a useful tool for controlling ambient light and for freezing action. Profoto uses a patent-pending technology that emits an extremely fast series of flash pulses. A simple button-press activates HSS Mode allowing you to shoot at shutter speeds as fast as 1/8000 of a second. The B1X 500 AirTTL employs an improved, high-capacity, exchangeable lithium-ion battery that gets up to 325 flashes on a 1.5-hour charge with the included 4.5A quick charger. The battery has fuel gauge-type LEDs that make monitoring remaining power easy. The B1X's modeling light is LED to put less strain on the battery. It provides the equivalent output of a 130W halogen bulb and will run for 120 minutes on a full charge.

Finally, B1X's back panel features a large, bright LCD screen that informs the user of the flash's power level, radio channel and group, sync choice, modeling light mode, and recycle alert. There's also a large battery gauge that literally can be read from 20' away.

The B1X's patent-pending technology fully integrates the flash head with your Canon, Nikon, Sony, or Olympus camera. The integration is so complete that Profoto sometimes refers to the B1X as an "off-camera flash." The key to this control is the Air Remote TTL.

Optional Air Remote

The Air Remote TTL transmitters have 8 frequency channels with 3 groups per channel and a range of up to 330' for TTL triggering. Each channel has power ratio capability of +/- 2 stops in TTL or +/- 9 stops in manual. Modeling light, shut-down of the unit, and first or rear curtain exposure can also be selected.

Firmware Updates

Both the flash head and the Air Remote have mini-USB connections for firmware updates directly from Profoto's website.

High Speed Sync as Fast as 1/8000 Sec

High-Speed Sync (HSS) is the technical term for syncing flash with shutter speeds shorter than the so-called x-sync - typically 1/250 of a second. It is a useful tool for controlling ambient light and for freezing action. Profoto uses a unique, patent-pending technology, providing an extremely fast series of flash pulses. Switch to HSS Mode with a simple button-press that allows you to shoot at shutter speeds as fast as 1/8,000 of a second.

Exceptionally Short Flash Duration

In Normal Mode, which prioritizes color fidelity, the B1 500 AirTTL is capable of t0.5 flash durations of 1/11,000 sec at minimum power, and 1/1000 sec at full power.

Freeze Mode

Freeze Mode automatically selects the shortest flash duration possible at the user-selected power level. Motion-stopping flash durations of 1/19,000 at minimum power make the B1X 500 AirTTL ideal for high speed shooting.

Quick Burst Mode

At lower power settings Quick Burst Mode allows a series of flashes to be fired at a faster pace than the B1 can recharge, allowing triggering of up to 20 frames per second.

Lithium-Ion Battery Powered

The B1's Lithium-ion battery gives you up to 325 full power flashes and thousands of minimum power flashes. The 4.5A quick charger charges the battery in 1.5 hours. Fuel gauge type LEDs on both the battery and charger allow you to monitor remaining power.

LED Modeling Lamp

An LED modeling light with a 130W tungsten-equivalent output draws very little power from the battery and generates minimal heat. The light can be set to proportional or full power and will dim during recycling if that option is selected.

Control Panel

The B1X's control panel has a 1.4 x 2.5" bright LCD screen that informs the user of the flash's power level, sync choice, modeling light mode and recycle alert. There's also a large battery gauge that literally can be read from 20' away

Power Variable over 9 Stops

Power can be regulated over a 9-stop range (2 to 500Ws / 1/256 to 1/1) in 1/10 or 1-stop increments.

Full Light Shaper System Compatibility

With its zoom scale and integrated umbrella sleeve, the B1X 500 AirTTL is compatible with Profoto's extensive line of umbrellas, reflectors, and softboxes.

Profoto 500 reviews

B1X 500 AirTTL 2-Light Location Kit is rated
4.3 out of
5 by
4.

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Jeff from
Very pleased that I finally stepped up to ProfotoI've been a user of entry level strobes for years, and could never talk myself into pulling the trigger on much more expensive options. The Profoto B1s were in my shopping cart a couple of months ago and backed out again. When the B1X lights were introduced, I jumped on them.... and I'm really happy that I did. Some of the benefits of Profoto that I've been missing: * TTL, high speed sync, and freeze options * Control lighting output from the camera * Precise 1/10 f-stop control (versus an imprecise slider) * Consistent output * Built in power source -- completely portable * Quality construction I've just begun to scratch the surface with respect to light modifiers, but what I have so far (beauty dish, a couple of soft boxes, reflectors, etc.) are great quality compared to what I've used in the past. Yes, it's spendy, and it took me a while to make the commitment. But I have no regrets. I enjoy shooting on location, so the portability of the battery operated units is fantastic. I was concerned whether the 500Ws power would be sufficient, and so far it is more than adequate. Battery life has been impressive. None of my foreseeable plans would require back-up batteries. I am a photography enthusiast who does some commercial work but does not make a living at it. Most of my photography is for pleasure.

Date published: 2017-07-17

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Randy Fath from
I'm really starting to love these things...I am a commercial photographer and as such I do not normally need the automatic TTL features this light offers, however I got the job of photographing a large established family of means so I wanted to do move through all the families and relatives quickly so I bought this set just to do that. To practice I have taken this set to several shoots and have set it up when two lights were adequate for the job at hand. The attached photo was a small bedroom with a set of Amish high quality furniture. I was deciding whether to do the job at all on that location and as a last moment gesture I brought in the two B1X's set them up towards the ceiling and let the TTL do it's work... The image is far less quality than I normally expect, but the lighting worked fabulously.. I've scheduled a lot more work for it in the near future...

Date published: 2017-07-14

Rated 2 out of
5 by
Johnny from
B1x is still 500 w/sProfoto B1 worked just fine the way it was, why make changes to something that really doesn't need changing This new B1x is still 500 w/s if I brought 7 batteries /per unit for the B1 I will still be saving money /// when will we see real changes like a new B1 thats 1000 w/s plus add a battery indicator alarm or a beeb something that will warn us that the battery is about to run out

Date published: 2017-05-20

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Anonymous from
Everything I expectedIt was everything I expected from the product description. They are super fast when not at full power and the modeling light is very bright. Consistent light and doesn't miss a beat on my Nikon D810
The built in umbrella mount fits all the impact umbrellas I purchased in the past. Fits my portable light needs and my in house studio as well.